UK hits 60,000 electric vehicle charging points

New Zapmap statistics have shown that the UK has surpassed 60,000 public charging points.

The 60,000th charging device was installed on Natal Road, a residential street in Streatham, London, and is operated by char.gy.

The new figures from Zapmap reveal that the overall rate of installation in the first four months of 2024 has increased by almost 37% compared with the average across 2023. The first four months of the year have seen an average of more than 1,900 devices installed every month, up from the 2023 average of 1,400 per month.

The 60,000 figure comprises a number of different types of chargers including en-route charging for longer journeys, charging provision at destinations, as well as lower-powered charge points on residential streets.

April’s milestone has been driven by particularly strong growth in two key areas of the country’s charge point infrastructure. For instance, Zapmap’s statistics show that the number of ultra-rapid devices – designed for en-route charging - has increased by 135% since April 2023. There are now 4,988 of these devices across the country.

Over the same time period, the number of low-powered devices on residential streets, used primarily for overnight charging, has increased by more than 54%. Charge point operator char.gy, which installed the 60,000th device, is just one such operator contributing to this growth. The company recently announced the installation of its 3,000th public charging point, with new charge points going live at a rate of around 400 per month.

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said:“Hitting 60,000 public charging devices is an extremely significant milestone for electric car drivers across the country.

“This is really just the crest of the wave. There’s a real momentum behind the increased rate of charge point installations up and down the country.

“Without a doubt, it is great news for electric car drivers that not only the sheer number but also the variety of charging options are improving every month.”

John Lewis, CEO at char.gy, said: “We're delighted that a char.gy charge point is marking this significant milestone, in a year of remarkable growth, signalling a bright future for the UK's charging infrastructure. The new station on Natal Road in Streatham is just one of many in the area designed to replicate the convenience of home charging for residents without driveways."

Looking ahead, given the current rate of installation, Zapmap’s calculations show that the UK is likely to reach 100,000 public charging devices as early as August 2025.

Jade Edwards, Head of Insights at Zapmap, said: “With more than 135% growth in the number of the highest-powered chargers over the last year, and 343 high-powered charging hubs across the country at the end of April, the UK is well on the way to hitting 100,000 public charging devices in summer 2025.”